Given its reputation, you
might wonder why you'd ever choose a running
bamboo.

Those invasive bamboos with
long, spreading underground shoots - or rhizomes - are all running bamboos. Clumping bamboos on the other hand are more
tame. Each stem - or culm - emerges from a bud at the base of the parent stem;
steadily building an impressive and compact clump for a feature planting.

But many of the bamboos
suited to cooler climates are the runners. And when it comes to growing a very
upright screen or hedge - especially in narrow spaces - the running bamboos are
often a more practical choice - but only after committing to some precautions: confining
them to pots or self-contained planter boxes above ground only.

Clumping bamboo can be contained
in the ground with root barriers. Flexible sheeting made from high-density
polyethylene - or HDPE - can be installed about 90cm deep around whatever area
you choose. It's best angled outward from the bottom to help direct those
rhizomes to the surface.

Though effectively
inhibiting spread, the barrier won't prevent escape forever. The sealed off
area is effectively a pot that will become crowded and pressured for resources.
Which is where - as ever in the garden - maintenance and vigilance can take
over.

Much easier than hauling in
a runaway is a regular patrol of the boundaries. Snap off any shoots that
appear where they're not wanted while they're still young. Get them at the
right time and you can use them in a stir-fry - though some species first need
soaking to leach toxins.

In late winter-early spring, trim off any
untidy bits and prune culms down to the desired height for a more formal look
in tropical, contemporary or oriental style gardens - but leaving any that
haven't yet branched. Alternatively, show-off the attractive canes and create
an aerial hedge by clearing all the lower foliage to about eye-level.

Given its reputation, you
might wonder why you'd ever choose a running
bamboo.

Those invasive bamboos with
long, spreading underground shoots - or rhizomes - are all running bamboos. Clumping bamboos on the other hand are more
tame. Each stem - or culm - emerges from a bud at the base of the parent stem;
steadily building an impressive and compact clump for a feature planting.

But many of the bamboos
suited to cooler climates are the runners. And when it comes to growing a very
upright screen or hedge - especially in narrow spaces - the running bamboos are
often a more practical choice - but only after committing to some precautions: confining
them to pots or self-contained planter boxes above ground only.

Clumping bamboo can be contained
in the ground with root barriers. Flexible sheeting made from high-density
polyethylene - or HDPE - can be installed about 90cm deep around whatever area
you choose. It's best angled outward from the bottom to help direct those
rhizomes to the surface.

Though effectively
inhibiting spread, the barrier won't prevent escape forever. The sealed off
area is effectively a pot that will become crowded and pressured for resources.
Which is where - as ever in the garden - maintenance and vigilance can take
over.

Much easier than hauling in
a runaway is a regular patrol of the boundaries. Snap off any shoots that
appear where they're not wanted while they're still young. Get them at the
right time and you can use them in a stir-fry - though some species first need
soaking to leach toxins.

In late winter-early spring, trim off any
untidy bits and prune culms down to the desired height for a more formal look
in tropical, contemporary or oriental style gardens - but leaving any that
haven't yet branched. Alternatively, show-off the attractive canes and create
an aerial hedge by clearing all the lower foliage to about eye-level.